Employee Discipline: Florida

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Author: Jolee Land, Phelps Dunbar LLP

Summary

• Florida employers should exercise caution when disciplining employees for possession of firearms or weapons on business premises. See Discipline Regarding Guns in the Workplace.
• Florida allows drug and alcohol testing in employment. See Drug and Alcohol Testing.
• Florida employers should not discipline employees for absences from work due to protected leaves. See Attendance.
• Florida law provides protection against misappropriation of trade secrets. See Workplace Theft; Misappropriation of Trade Secrets.
• Florida law allows actions for conversion, civil theft and employee breach of loyalty. See Workplace Theft.
• Employers should exercise caution when disciplining employees who are members of protected classes. See Prohibited Discrimination.
• Employers may be liable for a number of claims brought by employees with respect to disciplinary action, including those based on protected activities. See Other Sources of Employer Liability Regarding Employee Discipline.
• Miami-Dade County and Pinellas County have requirements pertaining to employee discipline. See Local Requirements.